Uncharted State
Welcome to UnchartED State, the podcast remapping higher education for a changing world. Hear from bold thinkers, industry experts, and higher ed leaders as they unpack how professional and continuing education is transforming work, learning, and opportunity.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Mississippi State University or the College of Professional and Continuing Studies.
Uncharted State
Who Needs College Anymore with Kathleen deLaski
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Who needs college anymore? What should higher education look like in an era of rapid change, AI, and evolving workforce demands?
In this episode of Uncharted State, Susan Seal, Sean Owen, and Maddie Ludt sit down with Kathleen deLaski, founder of Education Design Lab and author of Who Needs College Anymore? Imagining a Future Where Degrees Won’t Matter. Together, they explore why degrees still matter for some learners, why they don’t for many others, and what must change to create meaningful, trusted pathways beyond the traditional four-year model.
Drawing on years of research, real learner stories, and national workforce data, deLaski challenges the “college for all” narrative while making a compelling case for short-term credentials, micro-pathways, employer-aligned learning, and the human skills that AI can’t replace.
In This Episode:
- Who the “new majority learner” is and why higher ed wasn’t designed for them
- Why affordability and relevance keep millions from completing degrees
- The rise of short-term credentials, apprenticeships, and stackable pathways
- How employers, colleges, and states can build trust in alternative credentials
- Credit for prior learning, skills transcripts, and work-based experience
- Why critical thinking, problem-solving, and empathy matter more than ever
- How universities can balance workforce outcomes with the public good
Learning no longer follows a single path. This episode offers a deep exploration of how education, work, and lifelong learning must weave together to better serve learners and society.
📘 Learn more about the book or purchase a copy:
https://www.whoneedscollegeanymore.org
